Published on November 27th, 2021 📆 | 6233 Views ⚑
0Washington State Conservationists Track Pumas’ Health and Movements with Radar Technology
Conservationists are currently on the lookout for pumas. They are not looking to kill but to conserve. Advanced technology is being used to track and monitor these large catsâ movements and health.Â
The Olympic Cougar Project, Panthera in Washington is currently tracking three pumas (or cougars) on Washingtonâs Olympic Peninsula. This organization is committed to conserving 40 wildcat species worldwide.
Radio signals are transmitted by collars on big cats. This technology, which was originally developed in Africa to combat elephant poaching, makes finding pumas easier.
âEarth Ranger provides us a visual tool to just see in live motion all the animals on the landscape,âOne conservationist said. âI canât even exaggerate how big amount of time we were investing in doing all this stuff to figure out where cats are. All of thatâs automated now.â
But what conservationists say theyâve been tracking is alarming them and could hurt the local speciesâ chances of survival.
âRight here on the Olympic Peninsula, they appear to be isolated from the remainder of Washington State,âThey explained.
âAnd so the Interstate Five is kind of like a noose, and itâs turning the peninsula into an island. Theyâll be contained, and thereâll be breeding opportunities amongst themselves, but over time, thatâs a terrible thing.â
It will become a problem over time due to inbreeding which could affect the genetics of future generations.Â
For the moment, conservationists work hard to save the species.Â
âWe essentially want to know that the Olympic Peninsula is healthy,âThey also noted: âand the best way to do that is to see if wildlife are able to move from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascades and back.
âWe all know that this ecosystem is stronger, more resilient, and healthier because of the presence and activity of these animals.
Gloss